The state of Assam, nestled in the northeastern corner of India, has long been a hotspot for insurgent activity. Its complex social fabric, mixed with indigenous Assamese populations, migrants, and ethnic minorities, has made it an area of constant political strife. But behind the insurgency that continues to destabilize the region lies a deeper issue: a systematic failure by the Indian state to address the legitimate grievances of its people. Over time, this neglect has fostered resentment and given rise to separatist movements, with numerous insurgent groups emerging to demand self-determination or autonomy.
The United Liberation Front of Assam–Independent (ULFA-I) is the most well-known of these groups, but it is far from the only one. ULFA-I’s primary demand has been the sovereignty of Assam. This stance stems not from an inherent desire for separation but from successive Indian governments’ sustained neglect of Assamese aspirations. The Assam Accord, signed in 1985 between ULFA and the Indian government, was meant to resolve the conflict, addressing key concerns like the protection of Indigenous rights and the expulsion of illegal immigrants. However, the Indian state’s failure to implement the accord’s provisions has significantly affected the continued insurgency.
Assam’s people have long felt that the Indian state has treated their demands as secondary to the more significant national interest, often prioritizing national integration and security concerns over local issues. Despite Assam’s economic and strategic importance, the state has witnessed little meaningful development. Large infrastructure projects often bypass the state, leaving its people without opportunities for growth or a sense of participation in the nation-building process.
As a result of this alienation, ULFA-I emerged as the most prominent insurgent group in Assam. Initially, it fought for greater autonomy and recognition of Assam’s unique identity. Over the years, however, its demands have escalated to the point of seeking complete independence. The group has been accused of using violent methods, including bombings, kidnappings, and extortion, to further its cause. Despite the Indian government’s repeated assurances of peace, ULFA-I has refused to lay down its arms, citing the failure of the state to meet its core demands.
The recent bombing incident on August 15, 2024, attributed to ULFA-I, is a stark reminder of the fragility of peace in Assam. On India’s Independence Day, the group sent bomb threats to several media houses, claiming to have planted bombs at multiple locations across the state. Although the bombs failed to explode due to a technical glitch, the incident revealed the persistence of ULFA-I and the ongoing instability in the region.
Assam’s geopolitical position has further fueled its insurgent movements. The state shares porous borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar, two countries plagued by political instability and conflict. For decades, Assam has faced the challenge of illegal immigration, primarily from Bangladesh, which has contributed to demographic shifts that many locals feel threaten their identity. This has fueled anti-immigrant sentiment, further exacerbating tensions within Assam’s diverse communities.
Despite heavy border security measures, Assam continues to struggle with illegal immigration, particularly in the districts of Cachar, Karimganj, Dhubri, and South Salmara, which share borders with Bangladesh. In 2024, security breaches have led to the entry of illegal immigrants, with some even reportedly carrying valid Indian documents like Aadhar cards. Such incidents feed into the existing concerns of Assamese people who fear that Assam’s sovereignty is under threat from an influx of migrants. This perception has only been heightened by the inability of the Indian state to secure its borders fully, leading to further resentment among the indigenous population.
The insurgency in Assam is not the result of a single group or ideology but a complex array of movements that have emerged due to systemic repression and neglect by the Indian government. Over the years, various separatist and autonomy-seeking movements have gained traction across different parts of Assam, each with specific demands and grievances. The most prominent movements include the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), which seeks an independent Assam and has split into ULFA-Independent (active) and a pro-talk faction engaged in peace talks. Another key group is the Muslim United Liberation Tigers of Assam (MULTA), which advocates for a separate Muslim-majority country in Assam and remains active. The Kamtapur Liberation Organization (KLO) demands a separate Kamtapur state comprising parts of West Bengal and Assam and is still active. The Bodo movements, including the Bodo Liberation Tigers Force (BLTF) and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), have called for an autonomous or independent Bodoland. At the same time, BLTF disbanded after forming the Bodoland Territorial Council in 2003, and NDFB was dissolved after a peace accord in 2020. The Karbi Longri N.C. Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF) and the People’s Democratic Council of Karbi-Longri (PDCK) demand autonomy or a separate Karbi state and are still active. The Tiwa Liberation Army (TLA) advocates for the rights and independence of the Tiwa community, and the Rabha National Liberation Front (RNLF) calls for autonomy for the Rabha community, both of which remain active. Collectively, these movements illustrate that the insurgency in Assam is not confined to a singular issue or ethnic group but reflects a broad spectrum of demands for autonomy, self-determination, and recognition stemming from a shared history of neglect, repression, and marginalization by the Indian state. The rise of these groups indicates the broader failure of India’s governance in the northeastern states and the inability to address the complex ethnic and political dynamics in Assam.
One of the critical factors exacerbating the insurgency in Assam is India’s focus on external threats rather than internal stability. While New Delhi has rightly prioritized security concerns along its borders with Pakistan and China, it has often neglected the political and social dynamics within its northeastern states. Assam, in particular, has been subjected to years of mismanagement, with the central government’s attention often diverted toward international relations, especially with neighboring Bangladesh.
Assam’s insurgent movements are not the products of irrational violence or extremist ideology but rather a manifestation of the deep-rooted political, social, and economic grievances that have been ignored for decades by the Indian state. The plethora of separatist and autonomy-seeking groups that have emerged over the years is evidence of the systemic failure of India to address the aspirations of its people in the region. Unless the Indian government acknowledges and addresses the legitimate grievances of Assam’s people, the insurgency is likely to persist, and more groups may continue to arise in response to the state’s systemic repression.
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